Tank holder for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A holder for storing an SCBA tank in a vehicle includes a frame configured to support the SCBA tank in a storage position. A first arm is coupled to the frame for movement about a first pivot point and a second arm is coupled to the frame for movement about a second pivot point The first arm and the second arm are movable between a closed position and an open position, so that the arms restrain the SCBA tank when the arms are in the closed position and permit removal of the SCBA tank when the arms are in the open position. An inertial lock device is coupled to at least one of the arms to prevent removal of the SCBA tank when a predetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.§120 as a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/963,359, titled Auto Locking Holder Apparatus, filed on Oct. 12,2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an auto-locking holder apparatus, andrelates more specifically to an auto-locking holder for use in a vehiclefor restraining objects such as self-contained breathing apparatusequipment.

It is generally known to provide holders for a storage of objects suchas tanks (e.g. cylinders, containers, etc.) for self-contained breathingapparatus (“SCBA”) in vehicles such as rescue vehicles, fire trucks andthe like. SCBA holders can be integrated into an opening or recess in aseat back portion of a seat within the vehicle. Storage of the SCBA inthe seat back is intended to permit a user occupying the seat to rapidlydon the SCBA in response to an event. However, applicable regulationstypically require SCBAs to be restrained in a manner that ensures thatthe SCBA remains secured during certain accident scenarios such ascollisions, abrupt vehicle maneuvers, etc.

The known holders for SCBAs typically have a restraint that secures theSCBA until released by a user. For example, one type of holder secures atank in an elongated cavity in a seat with belts. Another example of aholder provides a releasable clasping device and lanyard for use with astrap to secure a tank in a hollow seat back. However, the known SCBAholders tend to have certain disadvantages. For example, the known SCBAholders tend to require intervention by a user to release the SCBA froma restraining device when removing the SCBA from the holder.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a holder for an object,such as an SCBA or the like, with an auto-lock feature that permits theobject to be freely installed and removed from the holder by a user foruse in a vehicle when the vehicle is not involved in an accidentscenario, but that prevents the object from being released from theholder during applicable accident scenarios involving the vehicle. Itwould be further desirable to provide a holder integrated with a vehicleseat having an extendable/retractable member with a locking mechanism(e.g. an inertial lock, etc.—such as a type typically used withconventional seat belts for restraint of occupants in a vehicle) thatthe permits installation or removal of the object (e.g. SCBA, etc.) whenthe locking mechanism is unlocked (e.g. free, released, etc.) and thatprevents removal of the object when the locking mechanism is locked. Itwould be further desirable to provide a holder configured to hold anobject during events indicative of an accident scenario involving thevehicle and that permits the object to be removed without actuatingseparate retainers or retention devices (e.g. catches, latches,connectors, buckles, clasps, snaps, etc.) when the vehicle is notinvolved in an accident scenario. It would also be desirable to providea holder configured to remain open for convenient placement of theobject into the holder.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a holder apparatus forreleasably holding an object having any one or more of these or otheradvantageous features.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a tank holder for securing a tank in avehicle and includes a pair of curved arms pivotally coupled to eachother for movement between a closed position and an open position. Thetank is restrainable by the arms in the closed position and is removablefrom the arms in the open position. A restraint mechanism is coupled tothe arms to prevent movement of the arms when a predeterminedacceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle having a holder forsecuring an SCBA tank and includes a frame coupled to an interiorportion of a cab of the vehicle. A pair of curved arms are pivotallycoupled to the frame for movement between a closed position and an openposition so that an SCBA tank is restrainable by the arms in the closedposition and is removable from the arms in the open position. Arestraint mechanism is coupled to the arms to prevent movement of thearms when a predetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to thearms.

The present invention further relates to a holder for securing a tank ina vehicle. The holder includes a frame configured to support the tank,and a first curved arm pivotally coupled to the frame for movement abouta first axis, and a second curved arm pivotally coupled to the frame formovement about a second axis. The first arm and the second arm areoperable to restrain the tank when the arms are in a closed position,and the first arm and the second arm are operable to permit removal ofthe tank when the arms are in an open position. A spring-biasedauto-locking device having an inertial lock member is coupled to atleast one of the arms to prevent removal of the tank when apredetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms.

The present invention further relates to a holder for storing an SCBAtank in a vehicle. The holder includes a frame configured to support theSCBA tank in a storage position, and a first arm coupled to the framefor movement about a first pivot point, and a second arm coupled to theframe for movement about a second pivot point. The first arm and thesecond arm are movable between a closed position and an open position,so that the arms are configured to restrain the SCBA tank when the armsare in the closed position and to permit removal of the SCBA tank whenthe arms are in the open position. An inertial lock device is coupled toat least one of the arms to prevent removal of the SCBA tank when apredetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a holderfor an object and vehicle seat frame according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a separated perspective view ofthe holder and vehicle seat frame according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a front elevation view of theholder and vehicle seat according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the holderin an open position according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of theholder in a closed position according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of theholder in an open position according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a holderfor an object according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of theholder in a closed position according to the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a schematic representation of a top sectional view of theholder in an open position according to the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a portion of a holder for anobject according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a portion of a holder for anobject according to an additional embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a portion of a holder for anobject according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the FIGURES, an auto-locking holder apparatus for a vehicleis shown according to various embodiments for use in holding object(s)so that the object(s) may be freely removed or inserted into the holderduring a first condition (e.g. a “normal” condition such as when thevehicle is stationary or traveling under normal or routine drivingconditions or other transportation events that are not indicative of apotential accident scenario or the like) and the object(s) is restrained(e.g. “locked” or “secured” etc.) during a second condition (e.g. an“abnormal” condition such as when the vehicle is subject to orexperiences an event indicative of a potential accident scenario such asabrupt or rapid changes in position, velocity or acceleration as mayoccur during emergency maneuvers, rapid stops, excessive braking,collisions, crashes, etc.). The term “acceleration” is understood torepresent a change in speed or velocity of the vehicle (i.e. in eitheran increasing or decreasing manner). The auto-locking holder apparatusis shown and described for use in connection with a seat back of avehicle, but may be used in any suitable location within a vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the auto-locking holder 10 is shown according toone embodiment. Auto-locking holder 10 is shown for use in combinationwith a vehicle seat frame 12 (a seat bottom cushion and a seat backcushion having a central opening for access to the holder have beenomitted for clarity). Holder 10 may be attached to the seat back portionof frame 12 using a conventional method such as, but not limited to,brackets, fasteners, clips, welding, brazing, riveting, etc. Accordingto one embodiment, the holder 10 is removably attached to the frame 12so that the holder 10 is modular or portable and may be adapted for usewith other structures within the vehicle. Holder 10 is adapted forholding an object 14 (shown as a tank, cylinder, etc. for an SCBA or thelike). According to one embodiment, the object is an SCBA and mayinclude any one or more of a tank (e.g. cylinder, bottle, etc.) forstorage of air, valves, regulators, hoses, a breathing mask and aharness for attaching the SCBA to a user. SCBAs for use in connectionwith the holder apparatus include those that are commercially availablefrom the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. According toalternative embodiments, the object(s) may be any suitable object (e.g.fire extinguisher, medical equipment, etc.) intended to be quicklyaccessible during “normal” conditions, but restrained during “abnormal”conditions in the vehicle (e.g. to prevent the object from becoming a“projectile” within the vehicle, etc.).

Holder 10 is shown to include a generally rectangular holder frame 20(e.g. base, housing, etc.) having side walls 22, a top wall 24 and abottom wall 26 and a support member 28. The holder frame 20 is shownhaving a size and shape configured for use with the seat back portion ofseat frame 12. The support member 28 is intended to improve structuralstability of holder frame 20 and to provide a bearing surface for object14 within the holder 10 (as shown schematically in FIG. 5). Holder 10includes a pair of movable members (e.g. bars, rods, links, etc.—shownas shafts 30).

Shafts 30 are shown as vertical members configured for rotation about alongitudinal axis of the shaft and rotatably or pivotally coupled to topwall 24 and bottom wall 26 by rotation devices 32 (e.g. bearings,bushings, etc.). Shafts 30 include a holder member 34 (e.g. clamp, jaw,restraint, barrier, etc.) shown as a generally arcuate bracket that isfixed to shaft 30 in a conventional manner (e.g. by a keyway,interference fit, fastener, etc.—not shown) so that the holder membersrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shafts as the shafts rotatebetween a first position (e.g. opened, releasable, accessible, etc. asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6) and a second position (e.g. closed, restrained,secured, etc. as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5). Holder members 34 are shownhaving a shape intended to releasably engage object 14 by at leastpartially surrounding, enclosing, or barricading the object when theholders are in the second position, but that provides a sufficientopening or clearance to permit passage of the object between the holdermembers when the holder members are in the first position (as shownschematically in FIGS. 5 and 6).

A projection 36 (e.g. tab, arm, etc.) is shown attached to shaft 30 andis intended to contact a travel stop 18 attached to holder frame 20 whenholder member 34 is moved to the first position (e.g. open position asshown schematically in FIG. 4). Shafts 30 are also shown to include adrive interface (e.g. drive member, etc.—shown for example as rollers38) configured to interact with a “tension” device (i.e. configured toimpart tension on the flexible member) shown as an auto-lockingretractor device 40 having a locking mechanism and an extendable andretractable flexible member 42 (e.g. belt, strap, line, etc.).

Referring further to FIGS. 1-6, rollers 38 are shown to be generallycylindrical members concentrically mounted on shafts 30. According toalternative embodiments, the rollers may be mounted eccentrically to theshafts, or may have an oblong shape (e.g. egg-shaped, elliptical, etc.)and intended to provide a cam-like effect to vary the amount of forcenecessary to overcome the tension from the retractor device as theholder members move from the second position (e.g. closed) to the firstposition (e.g. open). For example, the rollers may be configured torequire a greater initial force to begin movement of the holder membersfrom the second position and then a decreasing force as the position ofthe holder members progresses to the first position.

Referring further to FIGS. 1-6, auto-locking retractor devices 40 aremounted to holder frame 20 (shown for example as coupled to an outsideof side walls 22, but may be coupled to an inside of the side walls orother suitable portion of the holder frame). The extendable andretractable flexible member 42 is shown with a first end coupled toretractor device 40 and a second end coupled to rollers 38. According toone embodiment, retractor device 40 includes a spring-biased take-upreel (e.g. rotary, etc.) that is intended to provide tension on flexiblemember 42 so that shaft 30 and holder member 34 are biased toward theclosed position. The amount of tension is intended to be sufficient tohold object 14 within the holder 10 during “normal” conditions and topermit a user to readily remove object 14 against the tension applied byretractor device 40. Retractor device 40 also includes an auto-lockingmechanism (e.g. inertial lock, etc.—such as a ratchet-and-pawl typedevice, etc.) that prevents extraction of flexible member 42 fromretractor device 40 during “abnormal” conditions to prevent holdermembers 34 from moving from the closed position to the open position,thereby restraining the object 14.

The auto-locking retractor device in combination with the flexiblemember, shaft and holder member is intended to permit convenient andrapid removal of the object from storage (such as, for example, duringresponse to a fire or other emergency condition when a rapid response isdesirable) and to secure or restrain the object within the holder (suchas, for example, when traveling to or from the fire or emergencycondition). When the holder is used in connection with a vehicle seatback for storage of an object such as an SCBA or the like, the holderpermits a user (e.g. firefighter, emergency response personnel, etc.) toreadily extract the object from the holder in response to an event, butrestrains the object in the event that an “abnormal” condition isencountered during transport of the object by the vehicle (e.g.traveling to/from the location of the event, etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, an auto-locking holder apparatus 50 is shownaccording to another embodiment (the seat frame has been omitted forclarity). Holder 50 is somewhat similar to holder 10 and includes agenerally rectangular holder frame 60 having side walls 62, a top wall64 and a bottom wall 66 and a support member 68 and a pair of movablemembers (shown as shafts 70). A projection 76 (e.g. tab, arm, etc.) isshown attached to shafts 70 and is intended to contact a travel stop 58attached to holder frame 50 when holder member 74 is moved to the firstposition (e.g. open position as shown schematically in FIG. 7A).

Shafts 70 are shown as vertical members (similar to shafts 30)configured for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the shaft androtatably or pivotally coupled to top wall 64 and bottom wall 66 byrotation devices 72 (e.g. bearings, bushings, etc.). Shafts 70 include aholder member 74 (e.g. clamp, jaw, restraint, barrier, etc.) shown as agenerally arcuate bracket having a shape configured to correspond withthe object (similar to holder members 34). The holder members are fixedto shafts 70 in a conventional manner so that the holder members rotateabout the longitudinal axis of the shafts as the shafts rotate between afirst position (e.g. opened, releasable, accessible, etc. as shown inFIG. 7C) and a second position (e.g. closed, restrained, secured, etc.as shown in FIG. 7B).

Holder 50 includes a drive system for moving the holder members. Thedrive system includes shafts 70 and a drive interface (e.g. drivemember, etc.—shown for example as interacting gear members 78) that arefixed to shafts 70. Gear members are shown having an arm portion 78 aand an interfacing portion 78 b having intermeshing structure (e.g.teeth, ribs, projections, etc.). One shaft 70 is also shown to include afirst gear 84 fixed to shaft 70 and/or gear member 78. A second gear 86is provided to intermesh with first gear 84 so that each of gears 84 and86 rotates about its central axis. Second gear 86 includes an arm 88with a first end fixed to second gear 86 and arm 88 has a second endwith a projection 90, so that arm 88 rotates with second gear 86.According to a preferred embodiment, first gear 84 and second gear 86are provided with a gear ratio of approximately 3.5 to 1, and arm 88 hasan effective length of approximately 1.5 inches from the center ofsecond gear 86 to the center of projection 90, and the flexible memberextends approximately 3 inches corresponding to an angle of rotation ofthe shafts of approximately 34 degrees from the closed position to theopen position. However, other suitable gear ratios and dimensions may beused to provide a desired operation of the holder. Gear members 78, 84and 86 are intended to provide a gear train between the holder membersand a retractor device 80. Projections 92 and 94 are shown attached toframe 70 and extend at least partially along a common elevation withprojection 90.

Referring further to FIGS. 7A-7C, holder 50 is also shown to include anauto-locking retractor device 80 having a locking mechanism and anextendable and retractable flexible member 82 (e.g. belt, strap, line,etc.). Auto-locking retractor device 80 is shown mounted to an inside ofside wall 22 but may be mounted on any suitable portion of the holderframe. The extendable and retractable flexible member 82 is shown with afirst end coupled to retractor device 80 and is then routed overprojections 92 and 90 and has a second end coupled to projection 94.According to one embodiment, retractor device 80 includes aspring-biased take-up reel (e.g. rotary, etc.) that is intended toprovide tension on flexible member 82 so that arm 88 is rotationallybiased in a counterclockwise direction and first gear 84 rotates in aclockwise direction so that shafts 70, gear members 78 and holdermembers 74 are biased toward the closed position (as shown schematicallyin FIG. 7B). The amount of tension is intended to be sufficient to holdan object within the holder 50 during “normal” conditions and to permita user to readily remove the object against the tension applied byretractor device 80. The retractor device, flexible member, projections,gears and shafts are all intended to interact as a drive system topermit movement of the holder members to a first (e.g. open) position toaccess an object and to a second (e.g. closed) position to the secure orrestrain an object. The auto-locking feature of the retractor device isconfigured to “lock” the drive system so that the holders are fixed andrestrain an object when a vehicle is subject to an abnormal condition(as previously described).

Referring further to FIGS. 7B-7C, the drive system of holder 50 alsoincludes an “over-center” type mechanism formed by projections 90, 92and 94 and flexible member 82 that is configured to have an over-centerpoint near the open position of the holder members (as shown in FIG.7C). The tension applied by the retractor device 80 to the flexiblemember 82 tends to hold the holder members 74 open when the holdermembers have been moved beyond the over-center point to the openposition and tends to move the holder members 74 to the closed positionwhen the holder members are returned toward the closed position. A usermay close the holder members after the object has been placed in theholder by overcoming the tension from the retractor device and movingthe holder members beyond the over-center point toward the closedposition. According to alternative embodiments, an over-center mechanismfor biasing the holder members between an open position and a closedposition may be provided with suitably located springs or the like.

Retractor device 80 (like retractor device 40) also includes anauto-locking mechanism (e.g. inertial lock, etc.—such as aratchet-and-pawl type device, etc.) that prevents extraction of flexiblemember 82 from retractor device 80 during “abnormal” conditions toprevent holder members 74 from moving from the closed position to theopen position, thereby restraining the object.

The auto-locking retractor device in combination with the flexiblemember, the gear members, the shafts and holder members is intended topermit convenient and rapid removal of an object from storage (such as,for example, during response to a fire or other emergency condition whena rapid response is desirable) and to secure or restrain the objectwithin the holder (such as, for example, when traveling to or from thefire or emergency condition).

Referring to FIG. 8, an auto-locking holder apparatus 110 is shownaccording to another embodiment (the holder frame and seat frame havebeen omitted for clarity). Holder 110 is shown to include shafts 130having a first longitudinal portion 130 a extending between tworotational devices 132 and holder members 134 attached thereto forrestraining the object(s) (not shown). A second lateral portion 130 b(shown as a 130 b lateral portion on the left and a 130 b lateralportion on the right) of shafts 130 has an end engaging an extendableand retractable flexible member 142 of an auto-locking retractor device140 configured to be mounted to the holder frame (not shown). Flexiblemember 142 is shown as “looped” over one lateral portion 130 b and fixedto the other lateral portion 130 b according to one embodiment. However,the flexible member may interface with the lateral portions in anysuitable manner or configuration to move the holder members between anopen and a closed position. During “normal” conditions, the holdermembers 134 are movable between the first and second positions byovercoming the tension applied by retractor device 140 and separatingthe second lateral portions 130 b of the shafts 130. During “abnormal”conditions, the locking mechanism of the retractor device 140 preventsextraction of the flexible member 142 and prevents separation of lateralportions 130 b of shafts 130 to maintain holder members 134 in theclosed position.

According to alternative embodiments, more than one flexible member andretractor device may be used (e.g. one for each shaft, etc.). Further,the flexible member may engage only a single shaft or holder member anda suitable motion transfer device (e.g. gear, linkage, pulley, etc.) mayinterconnect the shafts or holder members for operation with a singleflexible member and/or retractor device.

Referring to FIG. 9, an auto-locking holder apparatus 210 is shownaccording to another embodiment (the holder frame and seat frame havebeen omitted for clarity). Holder 210 is shown to include shafts 230engaging a rotational device 232 (a second rotation device at anopposite end of the shafts has been omitted for clarity). Holder members234 are pivotally coupled to shafts 230 at an intermediate point 234 a.A first end 234 b of holder members 234 is adapted to restrain theobject(s) (not shown). A second end 234 c of holder member 234 has afriction-reducing member (e.g. slide, roller, bearing, etc.) 235configured to coact with a drive interface (e.g. cam, etc.—shown as awedge member 238). Wedge member 238 is movably coupled to the holderframe (not shown) for movement in a vertically upward and downwardmanner by sliding over alignment members (shown as pins 239). Anextendable and retractable flexible member 242 has one end coupled towedge member 238. An opposite end of flexible member 242 is coupled toan auto-locking retractor device 240 configured to be mounted to theholder frame (not shown). During “normal” conditions, holder members 234are movable from the second position to the first position by overcomingthe tension applied by retractor device 240 and pivoting about pivotpoints 234 a and moving the wedge member 238 in an upward direction.During “abnormal” conditions, the locking mechanism of retractor device240 prevents extraction of the flexible member 242 and prevents upwardmovement of wedge member 238 in order to prevent opening of the firstends 234 b of holder members 234 to maintain holder members 234 in theclosed position.

According to alternative embodiments, any suitable pivot point may beused (with or without shafts) and the drive interface may have anysuitable shape (e.g. arcuate, curvilinear, etc.). Further, the retractordevice and flexible member may be located at any desirable locationrelative to the holder frame for controlling movement of the holdermembers.

Referring to FIG. 10, an auto-locking holder apparatus 310 is shownaccording to another embodiment (the holder frame and seat frame havebeen omitted for clarity). Holder 310 is shown to include shafts 330engaging a rotational device 332 (a second rotation device at anopposite end of the shafts has been omitted for clarity). Holder members334 are pivotally coupled to shafts 330 at an intermediate point 334 a.A first end 334 b of holder members 334 is adapted to restrain theobject(s) (not shown). A second end 334 c of holder member 334 has aconnection point 335 (e.g. a pivot—such as, for example, aball-and-socket joint, etc.) configured to coact with a drive interface(e.g. shown schematically as a four-bar linkage 338). Linkage 338 has alower point 338 a and an upper point 338 b that are configured forrelative expansion and contraction. As the upper and lower points 338 a,338 b expand away from each other, the side points 338 c of linkage 338draw the connection points 335 of the second end 334 c of the holdermembers 334 inwardly to open the first ends 334 b of holder members 334to the open position. As the upper and lower points 338 a, 338 bcontract toward each other, the side points 338 c of linkage 338 movethe connection points 335 of the second end 334 c of holder members 334outwardly away from each other to move the first ends 334 b of holdermembers 334 to the closed position. An extendable and retractableflexible member 342 has one end coupled to upper point 338 a of linkage338. An opposite end of flexible member 342 is coupled to anauto-locking retractor device 340 configured to be mounted to the holderframe (not shown). During “normal” conditions, holder members 334 aremovable from the closed position to the open position by overcoming thetension applied by retractor device 340 and expanding upper point 338 aand lower point 338 b away from each other, thus pivoting second ends334 c of holder members 334 inwardly about pivot points 334 a andopening the first ends 334 b of holder members 334. During “abnormal”conditions, the locking mechanism of retractor device 340 preventsextraction of flexible member 342 and prevents upward movement of upperpoint 338 a of linkage 338 in order to prevent opening of the first ends334 b of holder members 334 to maintain the holder members in the closedposition.

According to alternative embodiments, any suitable linkage configurationand connection arrangement between the linkage and the holder membersmay be used. Also, the holder members may pivot about any suitablelocation and may use shafts or other suitable pivoting interface.Further, the retractor device and flexible member may be located at anydesirable location relative to the holder frame for controlling movementof the holder members.

According to any preferred embodiment, the self-locking holder apparatusfor an object is intended to provide holder members (e.g. clamps, arms,etc.) that are configured to engage the object and are movable between afirst position (e.g. opened, releasable, accessible, etc.) during“normal” conditions where the object can be inserted or removed from theholder and a second position (e.g. closed, restrained, secured, etc.)during “abnormal” conditions where the object is restrained within theholder. At least one extendable and retractable flexible member (e.g.belt, strap, line, etc.) interacts with the holder members. The flexiblemember is coupled to an auto-locking retractor device having a lockingmechanism (e.g. inertial lock, etc.) that “locks” the flexible memberfrom extending or retracting when the locking mechanism activates during“abnormal” conditions such as abrupt or rapid changes in position,velocity or acceleration of the apparatus (e.g. vehicle collisions,crashes, etc.). Activation of the locking mechanism prevents movement ofthe flexible member and the holder member to secure the object in theholder apparatus during the “abnormal” condition. When the lockingmechanism is not activated, the holder members are readily movable topermit the object to be installed or removed in the holder.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the self-locking holder apparatus as shown in thepreferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Althoughonly a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described indetail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review thisdisclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible(e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes andproportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thesubject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formedmay be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the operation of theinterfaces between the brackets and the retractor devices may bereversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structuresand/or members or connectors or other elements of the apparatus may bevaried, the self-locking holder apparatus may be used in connection withany suitable structure of a vehicle and independent of a vehicle seat.By further way of example, a single flexible member and retractor devicemay be used in place of two flexible members and retractor devices tooperate one or more holder members through suitably configured motiontransfer devices (e.g. linkages, pivots, belts, pulleys, gears, etc.).Further, the flexible member and retractor device for use with theholder may be the vehicle seat belt system for an occupant of the seatand configured to interact with the holder, or may be providedseparately for use solely with the holder apparatus. By further way ofexample, a single holder member may be provided and configured tocooperate with a stationary portion of the holder frame. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the self-locking holderapparatus may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materialsthat provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide varietyof colors, textures and combinations. It should also be noted that theself-locking holder apparatus may be used in association with otherobjects to be restrained and in connection with a wide variety of othertypes of vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles,buses, ambulances, etc. Accordingly, all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of the present inventions. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the presentinventions.

The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied orre-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, anymeans-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures describedherein as performing the recited function and not only structuralequivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design,operating configuration and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the presentinventions as expressed in the appended claims.

1. A tank holder for securing a tank in a vehicle, comprising: a pair ofcurved arms pivotally coupled to each other for movement between aclosed position and an open position, wherein a tank is restrainable bythe arms in the closed position and is removable from the arms in theopen position; a restraint mechanism coupled to the arms to preventmovement of the arms when a predetermined acceleration or decelerationis applied to the arms.
 2. The tank holder of claim 1 wherein therestraint mechanism comprises an inertial locking member.
 3. The tankholder of claim 2 wherein the inertial locking member is spring biasedand actuates upon a predetermined acceleration or deceleration.
 4. Thetank holder of claim 1 wherein the curved arms are spring biased towardthe closed position.
 5. The tank holder of claim 1 wherein the curvedarms are connected to intermeshing structure so that the arms movesubstantially simultaneously with each other between the open and closedpositions.
 6. A vehicle having a holder for securing an SCBA tank,comprising: a frame coupled to an interior portion of a cab of thevehicle; a pair of curved arms pivotally coupled to the frame formovement between a closed position and an open position, wherein an SCBAtank is restrainable by the arms in the closed position and is removablefrom the arms in the open position; a restraint mechanism coupled to thearms to prevent movement of the arms when a predetermined accelerationor deceleration is applied to the arms.
 7. The tank holder of claim 6wherein the restraint mechanism comprises an inertial locking member. 8.The tank holder of claim 7 wherein the inertial locking member is springbiased and actuates upon a predetermined acceleration or deceleration.9. The tank holder of claim 6 wherein the curved arms are spring biasedtoward the closed position.
 10. The tank holder of claim 6 wherein thecurved arms are connected to intermeshing structure so that the armsmove substantially simultaneously with each other between the open andclosed positions.
 11. A holder for securing a tank in a vehicle,comprising: a frame configured to support the tank; a first armpivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a first axis; a secondarm pivotally coupled to the frame for movement about a second axis; thefirst arm and the second arm operable to restrain the tank when the armsare in a closed position; the first arm and the second arm operable topermit removal of the tank when the arms are in an open position, and aspring-biased auto-locking device having an inertial lock member coupledto at least one of the arms to prevent removal of the tank when apredetermined acceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms. 12.The tank holder of claim 11 wherein the first axis and the second axisare substantially parallel to one another.
 13. The tank holder of claim12 wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallelto a center axis of the tank.
 14. The tank holder of claim 11 whereinthe arms are spring biased toward the closed position.
 15. The tankholder of claim 11 wherein the first arm and the second arm areconnected to intermeshing structure so that the first arm and the secondarm move substantially simultaneously with each other between the openand closed positions.
 16. A holder for storing an SCBA tank in avehicle, comprising: a frame configured to support the SCBA tank in astorage position; a first arm coupled to the frame for movement about afirst pivot point; a second arm coupled to the frame for movement abouta second pivot point; wherein the first arm and the second arm aremovable between a closed position and an open position, so that the armsare configured to restrain the SCBA tank when the arms are in the closedposition and to permit removal of the SCBA tank when the arms are in theopen position; an inertial lock device coupled to at least one of thearms to prevent removal of the SCBA tank when a predeterminedacceleration or deceleration is applied to the arms.
 17. The tank holderof claim 16 wherein the first arm and the second arm each comprise afront end portion, and the front end portions move toward one another asthe arms move toward the closed position, and the front end portionsmove away from one another as the arms move toward the open position.18. The tank holder of claim 17 wherein the front end portions areoffset from a center axis of the SCBA tank toward a front of the tank.19. The tank holder of claim 18 wherein the first pivot point and thesecond pivot point defines axes of rotation for the first arm and thesecond arm, and the axes of rotation are offset from the center axis ofthe SCBA tank toward a rear of the SCBA tank.
 20. The tank holder ofclaim 16 wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm isspring biased toward the closed position.